There’s never an easy day when running a nonprofit. Even when you think all your problems are solved, something else pops up to set you back. These setbacks often arise from budgeting errors, a shortage of funds, or a lack of overall program effectiveness. A majority of nonprofits struggle with these issues, but it doesn’t mean you have to. There are ways to avoid going down that path and that starts with budgeting correctly.

Here are some quick tips on how you can budget for your nonprofit like a pro to better prepare for the future and avoid hitting a major setback.

If your nonprofit hasn’t started reaching out to mobile users, you’re missing out. Everything is accessible on mobile devices nowadays, including donations. 

The reason you should be advocating to mobile users sooner rather than later is because both Millennials and Gen Z will be the demographic you cater to in the coming years. Not only do they spend a lot of time on their phones, but other generations are starting to as well. So if your nonprofit wants their attention, you need to move to platforms that attract wider audiences. 

Here are some mobile trends your nonprofit needs to get on right away to turn heads in your mission’s direction. 

Professional development can be complicated, especially within the nonprofit sector. While you’re struggling to meet your budget and serve as many people as you can, even the most experienced staff is falling behind as new techniques and technology burst onto the scene – techniques and technology that could save you money and make mission delivery more effective.

Then there’s the newbies to nonprofits – whether they’re right out of college or transitioning from a business career. These individuals need help ramping up your mission, understanding their role, and how they can make an impact in the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofits talk all the time about the importance of having CRM software, but is it really necessary? The short answer is yes. However, since costs are always a concern for nonprofits, you should know why a CRM is essential. For starters, it’s going to save you a lot of time and stress and help expand your mission. So let’s take a look at what a CRM is and how it’ll benefit your organization in the long run.

Collaborating alongside another nonprofit certainly has its pros and cons. The upside is that it can grow your mission and tackle issues you weren’t able to resolve on your own. The downside? You’re working with another nonprofit that has its own agenda. You might not see eye to eye on everything, which can create tension at times, so it’s important you stay on the same page to avoid any friction.

Despite the differences you might have, collaborating with another nonprofit is one of the best decisions your organization can make. The benefits far outweigh the cons. If you’re considering partnering with another nonprofit, here are some of the benefits you should think about.

With social distancing measures in place and people quarantined in their homes, fundraising couldn’t be any more difficult than it is right now. Just about every nonprofit has had to postpone or cancel an event. Before you scrap your next event, however, you should know there are a lot of nonprofits actually surpassing their fundraising goals lately. How? They are reaching out to donors online and explaining how crucial their mission is at this time. Here are just some of the strategies those nonprofits are using to increase their donations during the Coronavirus that you can use as well.

Technology has proven over the years to be a cost-cutting option that lets you do more with less. Surprisingly, nonprofits haven’t come to embrace it as strongly as they should. In a study done by NetChange, they reported that only 11% of nonprofits viewed their digital approach as effective. That’s not a good sign.

Funding is often difficult to come by, so it’s interesting that nonprofits are shying away from technology. On a daily basis, nonprofits are expected to expand their donor base, increase mission impact, and maintain financial security–all of which can be done without a hefty price tag. Here are just a few options that can solve all those issues while coming at little to no cost.         

Anyone who’s submitted a grant proposal before knows how difficult the process can be. The application can take weeks of researching, calculating, and writing. But even then there’s no guarantee that you’ll be rewarded for your efforts. There’s a lot to gain by taking the time to apply. You just need to know what to include in your proposal. 

Since grantors don’t accept all proposals, the process can be highly competitive. Not only do you have to meet their guidelines, but if you want to obtain a popular grant, you have to go above and beyond. You need to show them that your nonprofit has more than the skills required to carry out their expectations. So before you draft your next proposal, here are a few things you should include in order to blow away their expectations.

All eyes are on Australia.

Since July, wildfires have scorched 12.3 million acres across the continent with still no end in sight. The devastation has amounted to thousands of homes being consumed in the flames with reports of 28 casualties and nearly 500 million to a billion animals killed.

Support from around the world has poured in through donations, yet there’s already so much lost it will take years to regrow, repopulate, and rehabilitate. And while it might be difficult to see a glimmer of hope in this chaos, nonprofits in Australia have been stepping up to do all they can.

Here are just a few of the nonprofits that have been going above and beyond to assist the fight against the Australian bushfires.

Tax season can be confusing for nonprofits. Even though your organization is considered “tax-exempt” by the federal government, you are still required to file paperwork and documentation to the IRS. The plus side is that unlike most for-profit businesses, your nonprofit won’t be paying taxes. 

However, filing your annual returns can be a long and arduous process. There is a lot you need to know to maintain your tax-exempt status. So whether this is your first time filing or you’re in need of a quick refresher, this should serve as a good roadmap for navigating your nonprofit’s tax season.